You don't have to be a sailor to enjoy a sea holiday in Turkey. One of the popular choices of tourists in Turkey is to hire a crewed yacht. On a crewed yacht, a professional crew takes care of the boating and you can turn your attention to snorkeling, soaking in the sun, visiting quaint villages, historical sites and enjoying the dishes prepared by the onboard chef.



If you fancy travelling on a vessel that is reminiscent of a romantic galleon or old pirate ship, then a cruise on a Gulet (or Gullet) is in order. Gulets are traditional wooden and handmade Turkish boats, usually equipped with a crew of three comprising of the captain, the cook, and a sailor. The boats have a motor as well as sails. The route can be fixed , or arranged to the preferences of the group, and the group shares the expenses.

Although Gulets are traditional vessels, the modern touring Gullets are fully equipped with the comfort of the tourist in mind. They usually contain four to ten cabins, equipped with en-suite showers, WCs and hot water facilities. Turkish Gulets also have music systems, navigational, electronic, fishing and diving equipment. Spacious and light sitting-space provided at the back of the boat is one of the distinguishing characteristics and advantages of this type of vessel. Sitting at the large table in this section, you can have your meals under the sunshade, you can get a sun tan or you may watch stars at night.

For those who want more freedom and enjoy doing their own sailing, then the best choice is a "bareboat" vacation. "Bareboating" is the term given to a chartered holiday where you hire a whole vessel for a fixed period. You will be fully responsible for the boat and can sail her yourself, if you have a licensed captain in your group, or hire a professional to do it for you.

Along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey there are a number of scenic routes that you can choose from touching a rich array of historical sites including the ancient cities of Pergamon, Ephesus, Miletus, Knidos, Xanthos, Myra, Perge, Aspendos and Side. There are also dozens of other, smaller sites dating back many thousands of years, the remains of which are equally as interesting. If you are on a Gulet cruise with a full crew, then you will benefit from an experienced guide with a deep knowledge of the area.

The Mediterranean is also renowned for its great cuisine and a cruise holiday in Turkey will give you a chance to get acquainted with Turkish hospitality and the colorful and tasty dishes of this region

Sunshine, the sea, historical sites, sailing, swimming and fine cuisine: add it all up and you have the makings of an unforgettable holiday or vacation.